The Bush campaign had repetitively attempted to reduce the restrictions the Judicial branch has upon the Executive branch and its police forces. "The Bush administration has tried to expand the power of the executive branch by undermining and bypassing this constitutional framework."[1] Bush pushed the USA PATRIOT act in order to further his war against Terrorism, allowing for an easier searching of terrorists without having to stall for judicial approval. His signature to the bill effectively loosened the checks and balances between the two branches and increased the power of the police force.
Presidential reactions to Congressional activity
After Congress passed their extension modifications on the USA PATRIOT act, President Bush showed his disapproval with the new legislation. Bush commented saying that Congress's new law did not have the power to force the information from either the Executive branch nor the FBI in their searches. Since the bill requires that the Justice Department gather information about the FBI and its searches and then present it to Congress by certain dates violates the Executive branch's power of administration of its own departments. ''The executive branch shall construe the provisions . . . that call for furnishing information to entities outside the executive branch . . . in a manner consistent with the president's constitutional authority to supervise the unitary executive branch and to withhold information..." stated President Bush at his Presidential signing statement.[2]
Bush's Sponsorship of the original bill
Presidential reactions to Congressional activity
After Congress passed their extension modifications on the USA PATRIOT act, President Bush showed his disapproval with the new legislation. Bush commented saying that Congress's new law did not have the power to force the information from either the Executive branch nor the FBI in their searches. Since the bill requires that the Justice Department gather information about the FBI and its searches and then present it to Congress by certain dates violates the Executive branch's power of administration of its own departments. ''The executive branch shall construe the provisions . . . that call for furnishing information to entities outside the executive branch . . . in a manner consistent with the president's constitutional authority to supervise the unitary executive branch and to withhold information..." stated President Bush at his Presidential signing statement.[2]